Death Notice: SARAH ANNE WASHBURN

Sarah Anne Washburn, 92, retired teacher, died peacefully on Nov. 9, 2008 in Palo Alto, CA. She was a graduate of the University of South Dakota in journalism.

After graduation she worked as a reporter for the South Side Economist in Chicago, IL. She married Ernest Washburn and became a full time mother of 6 children.

In 1957 she began her long career in education, first as an elementary school teacher in the Diamond Lake School District in Mundelein, IL, then moving up to Junior High, teaching Social Studies and English.

She was employed there for 30 years.

Sarah Anne mentored her students, loved teaching and took 8th graders on a week long tour of Washington DC each year for many years.

After her retirement, at 70 years old, she moved to California to be near her daughters.

Sarah Anne designed and had built a unique house on a ridge above the Toulumne River canyon near Groveland, CA. She always had a pioneering spirit and her home was completely off the grid; making use of solar energy and other environmentally friendly fuels at a time when it was not fashionable to do so. Her nearest neighbor was 3 miles away.

She loved the sweeping views and quiet wildlife of her rustic habitat.

She lived there until health reasons forced her to move to Sonora (for 1 year) and then to Redwood Villa, a retirement community in Mountain View, CA. Throughout her life Sarah Anne was involved in social justice and charitable causes.

She is survived by her sisters, Margaret Nelson and Patricia Searles (JB); and by her six children, Sarah Kinane (Andy) of Benecia, John (Susan) of Long Grove, IL, Bill of Portland, OR, Judy (Jim Davis) of Palo Alto, Dan (Sandra) of Mundelein, IL and Mary of Palo Alto.

She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and a recently born great granddaughter.

Sarah Anne has numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held on November 17th at 11am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Palo Alto, CA. Donations should be made to Sarah Anne's favorite charity, Heifer International.